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Group B Strep

Group B streptococcus, known as group B strep, is one of many kinds
of streptococcus bacteria that infect humans. Group B strep can live
in a healthy person's body without causing illness. But it can be
life-threatening.

People who are at risk for severe group B strep infection include newborns
who catch it from their mothers during childbirth and people who have weakened
immune systems (as from chronic illness or cancer treatment).

Group B strep is treated with antibiotics. Pregnant women get
tested for group B strep during pregnancy. To prevent newborn infection, any
women with group B strep infection are treated in the last weeks of pregnancy or
during labor.

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